I still remember clearly how it happened.
It was many years ago. That day, I had been allowed to skip school, because Jimmy had died just the previous evening. Jimmy was my dog. I had him ever since I could remember. Jimmy and I used to play everywhere in the farm. Now I was alone there, that afternoon. The sun was already behind the tall trees on the west. Whatever light fell on the ground of the farm now resembled Papa’s camouflage shirt.
Then a breeze blew. That was when it happened.
Maybe it was the coolness of the breeze and the pleasant needle like warmth of the sun mixing together around me that caused it. I began to feel a daze, and in it, I felt the breeze, take my hand firmly. It guided me through the farm, around wet pools of mud and sharp stones safely to a small mango tree at the corner.
On reaching the tree I squatted down, like I somehow knew what must happen. My eyes went to a fallen leaf on the ground. It was yellow, with brown blemishes. I looked up and saw the tree’s green leaves right before me. ‘So different from the living ones’, I thought, as I looked down again at that yellow leaf. I hesitated to touch it, but I heard the breeze say,
“Go ahead, touch it, I will show you what happens after“
I nodded. The tip of my index finger touched the leaf’s edge. It was like the decoration lights came on just at that moment. The leaf was suddenly brimming with activity. Not just on it, but all around it. So much activity. So many unrecognizable beings going about their tasks. A big gala!
The leaf wasn’t solid anymore. It was more like smoke now. Glowing yellow smoke.
Some of it wafted this way and that and merged with the air. Most of it was taken into the soil and was now moving into the roots and then up the same mango tree further illuminating it. It was spreading through the grey trunk, the branches, the stems, the many leaves, and even the last mango flowers at the very tips! A young green leaf that hung in front of my eyes too had that yellow glow, visible very faintly now, merging with its dancing green.
There was a small movement at the corner of my eye. A mango flower is falling! It spins in slow motion downwards through the heavy air. It’s light pollen becomes a trail behind it. It touches the ground. There’s a momentary silence as the dust settles. Then the lights come on again. Around the flower now. Activity. A million beings. Smoke. Give. Take. The river continues.
The breeze’s chuckle woke me from my trance. It was still with me, looking with kind, glittering eyes. It leaned and whispered into my ears:
“Now, do you want me to show how you are?”
The lights are still shimmering and dancing. The soil, the tree, and the whole farm was radiant with lights. I was considering the invitation. That’s when I heard Mommy call. I turned to look towards my house. She was in the courtyard, her sari pallu tucked into her waist, looking left and right for me. I must go.
I turned back towards the breeze. It was not there. The soil was silent but for a lone ant that explored the yellow leaf. Next to it was a fresh mango flower. As I got up to run back, the young mango leaf was still dancing with the breeze.